Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 Rackmount 3rd Generation
SKU: FOC-MOSC0029AU
Key Features
- Bands and Project Studios
- USB Type-C / Type-A Connectivity
- 8 Scarlett Mic/Line Preamps, 2 Hi-Z Ins
- Dual Headphone Outs, 10 Line Outs
- 24-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA
- AC Powered / Mac, Windows
Details
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 Rackmount 3rd Generation is built to deliver top-shelf sound in a rack-friendly and easy to use format for bands, project studio engineers, and panel podcasters who need mix-minus functionality when taking calls. The third-generation Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 18x20 USB audio/MIDI interface lets artists, engineers, and producers score pro-level tone with no learning curve.
Equally capable for tracking vocals and instruments, the eight improved Scarlett microphone preamps feature switchable phantom power for condenser mics, pads to prevent distortion on loud input signals, and a selectable-per-channel Air circuit, which adds clarity-enhancing brightness based on Focusrite's legendary ISA preamplifier.
The virtual loopback function on the Scarlett 18i20 empowers podcasters with an easy mix-minus setup for taking calls without the caller being distracted by a delayed audio return signal. Plus, the onboard talkback feature and built-in talkback mic streamline the task of communicating with your artists during recording sessions. You can even utilize your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to wirelessly control the Scarlett 18i20.
With its AC powering for stable power in the studio, space-saving USB Type-C connection, and extensive software bundle including elementary versions of Ableton Live and Avid Pro Tools music production workstations, virtual instruments, plug-in effects, loops, and more, the Scarlett 18i20 gives you plenty of powerful tools to kick-start your inspiration. Just connect the Scarlett 18i20 to an AC power source via the supplied power cable, plug into your Mac/Windows computer via USB, fire up your preferred audio recording software, and let the creativity flow.
Great for Project Studios, and Large Home Setups
With its 1 RU size, USB Type-C connectivity, and AC powering (via the included power cable), the Scarlett 18i20 is well suited for bands, project studios, and large home setups in need of plenty of analog and digital I/O in a rackmountable form factor.
Pristine, High-Resolution Conversion
Thanks to its high-performance 24-bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converters, the Scarlett 18i20 is equipped to capture any source from vocals to acoustic and electric instruments clearly and accurately, so you never have to worry about the interface clouding your sound.
Scarlett Mic Preamps with Customizable Tone
The eight upgraded third-generation Scarlett mic preamps feature switchable 48V phantom power (in banks of four channels) to accommodate your favorite condenser mics, and a selectable-per-channel Air setting, which reproduces the Air effect of Focusrite's original ISA mic preamp to impart enhanced brightness and openness on your vocal recordings. Use the selectable input pads to prevent distortion when tracking high-level sources such as acoustic drums or electric guitars equipped with active pickups.
Instrument/Line Switching
Thanks to switchable instrument/line settings, the first two XLR-1/4" combo inputs on the Scarlett 18i20's front panel allow distortion-free recording of instruments such as electric guitar and bass, synthesizers, or drum machines with no need for DI boxes or amplifiers, or in Line mode they can be used for line-level sources like a mixer's stereo output or the line outs from external mic preamps or guitar/bass amps. Combo inputs 3-8 are able to handle mic- or line-level sources.
Straightforward Controls and Level Indication
The Scarlett 18i20's independent gain knobs and 5-segment LED input meters mean that you'll have no trouble getting set up and dialing in the perfect levels.
Dual Independent Headphone and Main/Alt Monitor Outputs
The first four balanced 1/4" TRS monitor outputs on the rear panel enable hum-free connectivity with two pairs of balanced studio monitors, and their anti-thump technology protects your speakers if the interface is powered on while the speakers are powered on. To allow critical listening through headphones for two people, there are two front-panel 1/4" headphone jacks, each with its own dedicated volume knob. Another knob is allocated for controlling the volume of the main monitor outputs (1-2) or the alt monitor outputs (3-4), and buttons are provided for dim and mute functions.
Rear-Panel Line Outputs
Six additional balanced 1/4" TRS line outputs can be found on the rear panel of the Scarlett 18i20. Use these to route tracks from your session into separate analog inputs on a console or summing mixer, or to feed outboard effects processors.
Virtual Loopback for Mix-Minus and More
The Scarlett 18i20 features one pair of virtual loopback inputs, allowing you to capture a stereo feed of any combination of hardware input and software playback channels, making podcasting, live streaming, and sampling tasks much easier.
MIDI I/O
Spin the Scarlett 18i20 around and you'll find traditional 5-pin MIDI I/O ports, perfect for hooking up a MIDI keyboard controller, a synthesizer/workstation, or a sound module for MIDI recording, editing, and sequencing.
Stereo S/PDIF Digital I/O
In addition to having flexible analog I/O, the Scarlett 18i20 offers S/PDIF stereo digital input and output ports via coaxial jacks. Use the S/PDIF input to record the output of a digital DJ mixer or an external mic preamp outfitted with an A/D converter and S/PDIF output. Run the Scarlett's S/PDIF output to a high-end D/A converter for extra processing or mastering with analog gear.
8-Channel ADAT Optical I/O
The inclusion of dual ADAT optical input ports on the Scarlett 18i20 means that you can record up to eight more channels of audio at up to 96 kHz (four channels at 192 kHz), a perfect way to pipe in an external 8-channel mic preamp with an onboard A/D converter.
Dual ADAT optical outputs are also present, should you wish to send tracks digitally (skipping a D/A stage) to a headphone distribution system, an external converter, or a digital mixer.
Wordclock Output
A BNC output provides a stable wordclock signal for synchronization of external digital equipment such as other audio interfaces or a digital mixing console.
Powerful Software Control
Route your audio, cue mix, loopback, and monitor mixes from your Mac or Windows computer via the Focusrite Control desktop software. Tap into even more convenience by using the Focusrite Control iOS app on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to remotely control your Scarlett when connected to Focusrite Control Desktop.
Specifications
| Form Factor | Rackmount (Rack-Mountable with Included Hardware) |
| Display | 8 x Multi-Segment LED Meter |
| Channels of I/O | Analog: 8 Inputs / 10 Outputs Digital: 10 Inputs / 10 Outputs |
| Maximum Sampling Rate | 192 kHz / 24-Bit |
| Number of Microphone Preamps | 8 Preamps |
| Input Level Adjustment | 8 x Knob |
| Expansion Slots | None |
Signal Processing
| Pad | -10 dB (Switchable per Channel) |
| Gain/Trim Range | Mic/Line Inputs: 56 dB |
| High-Pass Filter | None |
| Solo/Mute | Mute per Master |
Connectivity
| Analog Audio I/O | 2 x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Balanced/Unbalanced Mic/Line/Hi-Z Input 6 x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Balanced Mic/Line Input 10 x 1/4" TRS Balanced/Unbalanced Line/Monitor Output 2 x 1/4" TRS Unbalanced Headphone Output |
| Phantom Power | 48 V, Selectable On/Off (on 8 Channels) |
| Digital Audio I/O | 1 x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input 1 x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Output 1 x TOSLINK Optical ADAT / S/PDIF Input (S/MUX Support) 1 x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Input (S/MUX Support) 1 x TOSLINK Optical ADAT / S/PDIF Output (S/MUX Support) 1 x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Output (S/MUX Support) |
| Host Connection / USB | 1 x USB Type-C (USB 2.0) |
| USB (Non-Host) | None |
| Sync I/O | 1 x BNC Word Clock Output |
| Network I/O | None |
| MIDI I/O | 1 x DIN 5-Pin Input 1 x DIN 5-Pin Output |
| Wireless Connectivity | None |
Performance
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB |
| Maximum Input Level | Mic Inputs: +9 dBu (Min Gain) +16 dBu (Min Gain, with Pad) Hi-Z Inputs: +12.5 dBu (Min Gain) +14 dBu (Min Gain, with Pad) Line Inputs: +22 dBu (Min Gain) +29 dBu (Min Gain, with Pad) |
| Maximum Output Level | Line Outputs: +15.5 dBu (Balanced) Headphone Outputs: +7 dBu |
| Impedance | Mic Inputs: 3 Kilohms Hi-Z Inputs: 1.5 Megohms Line Inputs: 60 Kilohms Line Outputs: 430 Ohms Headphone Outputs: < 1 Ohm |
| Dynamic Range | Mic Inputs: 111 dBA Hi-Z Inputs: 110 dBA Line Inputs: 110.5 dBA Line Outputs: 108.5 dBA Headphone Outputs: 104 dBA |
| THD+N | Mic Inputs: < 0.0012% Hi-Z Inputs: < 0.03% Line Inputs: < 0.002% Line Outputs: < 0.002% Headphone Outputs: < 0.002% |
| EIN | Mic Inputs: -128 dB A-Weighted |
Digital Audio
| Sample Rates | Up to 192 kHz (AD/DA Conversion) |
| Sample Rate Conversion | None |
| Bit Depths | Up to 24-Bit (AD/DA Conversion) |
| Sync Sources | ADAT, Internal, S/PDIF |
Audio Storage & Playback
| Memory Card Slot | None |
Compatibility
| OS Compatibility | macOS 10.12 / 10.13 / 10.14 / 10.15 / 11 Windows 7 or Later |
| Included Software | Ableton Live Lite Pro Tools First |
| Compatible Software (Not Included) | Any Core Audio (Mac) Compliant Software |
| Included Plug-Ins | Dynamics: Focusrite Red 3 Drawmer S73 Equalization: Focusrite Red 2 Virtual Instruments: XLN Audio Reverb & Room: Softube TSAR-1R Reverb Delay: Softube Tube Delay Harmonic & Tape: Softube Saturation Knob |
| Supported Drivers/API & Plug-Ins | Core Audio (Mac) ASIO WDM |
| Mobile Device Compatibility | None |
| Required Hardware | Available USB 2.0 Port USB Cable (Included) |
| Internet Connection | Required for Software/Driver Download |
Power
| Power Requirements | AC Input |
| AC Input Power | 100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 30 W |
Physical
| Rackmount Size | 1 RU (with Included Hardware) |
| Dimensions | 19 x 10.23 x 1.83" / 48.3 x 25.98 x 4.65 cm |
| Weight | 7.2 lb / 3.3 kg |
What's In The Box
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 Rackmount 18x20 USB Type-C Audio/MIDI Interface (3rd Generation)
- USB Type-C to USB Type-A Cable
- IEC Power Cable
- Set of Rack Ears
- Limited 3-Year Warranty